Sunday, February 21, 2010
San Diego Riding Site Locations, General Overview
Site Details:
Tourmaline
Mission Beach
Sail Bay
Mission Bay
Coronado
Silver Strand State Beach
J Street Marina
Imperial Beach
All Other Sites
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Site Detail: Other Spots in San Diego County
In general and depending upon conditions, Silver Strand State Beach, and Tourmaline are the windiest spots in all of San Diego County, unless there is a storm (where almost all sites blow then).
Other spots and their constraints:
Torrey Pines: Home of Black's Beach, and the Glider port. The cliffs tend to buffer the winds except in rare instances. This makes for great surface conditions for surfing.
Del Mar/Cardiff/Carlsbad/Oceanside: Wind does blow here, though its very likely going to be stronger and more consistent at Tourmaline or Silver Strand State Beach.
La Jolla/La Jolla Shores: Unless there is a storm, this area doesn't get much wind due to buffering from Mount Soledad. Great surface conditions for surfing.
Sunset Cliffs: The cliffs tend to buffer the winds except in rare instances (only the locals catch these very rare days). This makes for great surface conditions for surfing.
Inland lakes/reservoirs: These can get great winds. Unfortunately, water activity is banned in all reservoirs, and kiteboarding is specifically not allowed in the lakes. In addition, due to the cliffs and mountains, the wind is extremely gusty/flukey (to the point of not being able to ride), rigging areas are sparse and unforgiving, and for the kiters who love to ride surf...well you get the idea.
Other spots and their constraints:
Torrey Pines: Home of Black's Beach, and the Glider port. The cliffs tend to buffer the winds except in rare instances. This makes for great surface conditions for surfing.
Del Mar/Cardiff/Carlsbad/Oceanside: Wind does blow here, though its very likely going to be stronger and more consistent at Tourmaline or Silver Strand State Beach.
La Jolla/La Jolla Shores: Unless there is a storm, this area doesn't get much wind due to buffering from Mount Soledad. Great surface conditions for surfing.
Sunset Cliffs: The cliffs tend to buffer the winds except in rare instances (only the locals catch these very rare days). This makes for great surface conditions for surfing.
Inland lakes/reservoirs: These can get great winds. Unfortunately, water activity is banned in all reservoirs, and kiteboarding is specifically not allowed in the lakes. In addition, due to the cliffs and mountains, the wind is extremely gusty/flukey (to the point of not being able to ride), rigging areas are sparse and unforgiving, and for the kiters who love to ride surf...well you get the idea.
Site Detail: Coronado
Coronado has nearly the same wind pattern as Silver Strand Beach, but tends to be attenuated somewhat due to being in the lee of Point Loma. This can be a good thing in times of high wind and/or high surf if one wants possibly "tamer" conditions.
Additionally, as Coronado is actually a sand spit formed by Point Loma, the beach itself faces more to the South. With this, the general WNW winds Silver Strand State Beach gets, are mostly side shore here, which most kiteboarders tend to prefer.
However, there are some challenges.
Coronado is a bustling tourist destination, with active military bases bordering the beach to the north and south. The beach itself is not very big and tends to be very crowded, making it a challenge to rig up at times. Care must be taken, and if its too crowded, riding may not even be an option due to no space to rig. Depending upon wind conditions, the condominium towers can affect the wind flow, sometimes creating strange "rotors" without warning, even over the water while riding, so use caution. If the wind direction goes too North, the towers will block the wind.
Technically, kiteboarding would not even be allowed at this beach due to the flight line of the Naval Air Station (to the north) being directly over the riding area. We all know that kiteboarding does not pose any threat to aircraft or airports, even if close. And at this location, the condominium towers themselves are also in the flight line and multiple times higher than our kites ever get. But its still a technicality we don't want anyone to enforce. The local lifeguards have been very lenient with kiteboarders riding here, and the locals and tourists tend to love watching them.
The Navy Seal Base to the south has a guard on duty 24/7 and no longer allows civilians on the beach (though the water is still fair use), as the Navy Seals practice their maneuvers here. Occasionally, they will even be in the water. It is possible to walk in the water in this area in case of a breakdown, but try to keep this to a minimum and stay off the dry portion of the beach. These rules did not exist prior to 9/11/2001.
Though not an official rule, kiteboarding is not "allowed" north of the jetty at the Hotel Del. There is a huge soft beach here, but don't be tempted. We don't want to create any issues with the Naval Air Station, nor with the beachgoers or lifeguards.
Water Surface Conditions: Being somewhat shadowed by Point Loma, the surf tends to be slightly smaller here, and with the wind being more side shore, there tends to be less chop. But there can also be less wind.
There is also a bay side to Coronado, but nearly all wind directions are blocked by buildings and/or trees. Additionally, there is no "open" location to rig up due to trees, piers, boat docks, boats, and crowds. No one has ridden here that I know of, nor would they want to. My recommendation is don't.
With all the constraints, Coronado is a technical spot; all conditions need to come together to make it a great riding spot. Otherwise, Silver Strand State Beach tends to be the better (and safer) choice.
Additionally, as Coronado is actually a sand spit formed by Point Loma, the beach itself faces more to the South. With this, the general WNW winds Silver Strand State Beach gets, are mostly side shore here, which most kiteboarders tend to prefer.
However, there are some challenges.
Coronado is a bustling tourist destination, with active military bases bordering the beach to the north and south. The beach itself is not very big and tends to be very crowded, making it a challenge to rig up at times. Care must be taken, and if its too crowded, riding may not even be an option due to no space to rig. Depending upon wind conditions, the condominium towers can affect the wind flow, sometimes creating strange "rotors" without warning, even over the water while riding, so use caution. If the wind direction goes too North, the towers will block the wind.
Technically, kiteboarding would not even be allowed at this beach due to the flight line of the Naval Air Station (to the north) being directly over the riding area. We all know that kiteboarding does not pose any threat to aircraft or airports, even if close. And at this location, the condominium towers themselves are also in the flight line and multiple times higher than our kites ever get. But its still a technicality we don't want anyone to enforce. The local lifeguards have been very lenient with kiteboarders riding here, and the locals and tourists tend to love watching them.
The Navy Seal Base to the south has a guard on duty 24/7 and no longer allows civilians on the beach (though the water is still fair use), as the Navy Seals practice their maneuvers here. Occasionally, they will even be in the water. It is possible to walk in the water in this area in case of a breakdown, but try to keep this to a minimum and stay off the dry portion of the beach. These rules did not exist prior to 9/11/2001.
Though not an official rule, kiteboarding is not "allowed" north of the jetty at the Hotel Del. There is a huge soft beach here, but don't be tempted. We don't want to create any issues with the Naval Air Station, nor with the beachgoers or lifeguards.
Water Surface Conditions: Being somewhat shadowed by Point Loma, the surf tends to be slightly smaller here, and with the wind being more side shore, there tends to be less chop. But there can also be less wind.
There is also a bay side to Coronado, but nearly all wind directions are blocked by buildings and/or trees. Additionally, there is no "open" location to rig up due to trees, piers, boat docks, boats, and crowds. No one has ridden here that I know of, nor would they want to. My recommendation is don't.
With all the constraints, Coronado is a technical spot; all conditions need to come together to make it a great riding spot. Otherwise, Silver Strand State Beach tends to be the better (and safer) choice.
Site Detail: Silver Strand State Beach
Silver Strand Beach (aka "Strand") is an 8 mile long strip of sand separating the Pacific Ocean from San Diego Bay. It is bordered by Coronado to the north, and Imperial Beach to the south, and faces mostly West into the oncoming wind and swells. Being out of the main flow of San Diego traffic, it tends to be one of the least crowded beaches in the county. It also tends to pick up slightly stronger WNW winds than the rest of the county, depending upon conditions. With its large, open, and generally uncrowded beaches, it makes for a great kiteboarding site for any level of rider. Click here for the seasonal wind information.
To get there: From the North, take the Coronado Bridge to Coronado, then take highway 75 south to the Silver Strand Beach exit (there is only one). From the South: Take Palm Avenue through Imperial Beach, then take highway 75 north to the Silver Strand Beach exit.
Parking: Being a State Park, the current parking rate is $10 for the day, enforced year round. You can also park on the eastern side of highway 75 in the Coronado Cays for free, though you'll have to walk a few hundred yards back to the beach.
Kiteboarding Rules: No kiteboarding is permitted north of the southernmost parking lot. This is enforced by the lifeguards. Though its usually "uncrowded", this is still San Diego, a major tourist destination. There can still be loads of people and they tend to conglomerate around the main lifeguard tower and north of it, especially in the summer, making rigging and riding there very difficult to begin with.
There's also a bird sanctuary (for the snowy plover who nest in the sand dunes) to the south of the riding area. The kiteboarders have been asked to down their kites when on the beach in this area, as there is some suspicion the kites frighten the birds to the point they will not procreate. Whether this is really the case, remains to be seen.
One can also go to the "other side" and ride on the bay in flat water, by walking under the pedestrian tunnel. See "water surface conditions" below for the conditions here.
As for the wind: Its generally the most consistently windy spot in all of San Diego County (though not always the strongest). It works best on NW and WNW winds, depending upon season and conditions. SE, S, and SW winds work here as well, though they aren't as frequent. The wind here also tends to be affected less by thermal variations (due to the bay), creating very steady winds, and the large beach area is very forgiving.
In addition, one can choose to do a "downwinder" all the way down to Imperial Beach (over 3 miles). Since there is no road access to the beach between the two, a case of the wind dying, or equipment breakdown, means its going to be a good walk.
The ikitesurf.com wind sensor for Silver Strand is located on top of the lifeguard tower. Being up off the water, this sensor tends to read a bit higher wind than there really is, especially when the wind velocity is under 15 MPH. Higher than that, and it seems to be about right.
Water Surface Conditions: Being on the Pacific Ocean, the beach itself is exposed to all ocean swells. As there are no reefs here (and the water deep), the waves tend to come in fast, and frequently close out with extreme force about 100 yards out, regardless of size. Occasional wave rides can still be had. Typical surf on any given day is chest high, though mid winter can be double overhead plus, and mid summer can be nearly flat. The surface tends to "blow out" easily, and whitecaps tend to show even when there's barely any wind at the beach.
A crowded day in July, 2005
On the bay side locations, all winds except Santa Ana ENE winds are attenuated by the land and buildings, requiring a very windy day to generate ridable wind, which is very rare. NW and WNW winds tend to blow nearly dead offshore here and S or SW winds blow side shore, with lots of holes until you are out in the bay itself. A better choice would be to ride at J-Street Marina, which has much cleaner wind in these conditions. Santa Ana winds tend to blow side onshore here, but being Santa Ana's, the wind itself is usually quite gusty, and on and off, making for challenging riding.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Season in Detail: May-June-July
The season of "May Gray" and "June Gloom" for Southern California, including San Diego. Expect lighter winds, more fog, larger crowds at the beaches.
Synoptic pressure systems have stopped moving around and are now somewhat "set" in position for the season.
One system, "The North Pacific High" (NPH), sits and spins in a clockwise fashion (with NW winds) just off the cool Central and/or Northern California coasts. Smaller "thermal lows" sit over the inland valleys and deserts, with lots of heat from the sun.
The interaction of these two systems tends to bring solid wind to the Central and Northern California coasts as pressure tends to flow from high to low.
But this effect does not fully apply to the Southern California coast.
Due to the position of the NPH at this time of year, its solid NW wind is attenuated by the Santa Ynez mountains to Point Conception, as well as Southern California coast "sitting back" away from the flow (a geographic feature known as the Southern California Bight). As the wind is blocked, this creates a lighter wind "void" on the waters inside the bight. With the winds attenuated, the thermal lows can build all the way to the coast as the day wears on, leaving the coast with no solid gradient for wind, and lots of heat.
However, there are times when the NPH is positioned lower or closer, which tends to send WNW winds towards the coast, keeping the thermal lows away from the coast. If strong enough, this can generate ridable wind at all the riding sites. These days have standard WNW winds, which usually blow 8-14MPH, with some rare plus days. Its usually only ridable 3-7 days per month in this season. Geographic focal points north of San Diego County (like Cabrillo, or Leo Carillo) usually boost this wind locally, making for even stronger winds, and more frequently ridable days.
Sometimes the NW flow of wind persists, and/or increases velocity on the outside waters. This begins to generate an eddy effect on the inside waters. This creates a counter-clockwise loop inside the bight, fed on its western edge by NW winds in the outside waters. Most of the coastal sites will show S to SE winds matching the eastern edge of the counter-clockwise flow. In extreme cases, the flow will be strong enough for ridable winds, especially in San Diego (further south, the better), which is in the SE quadrant of the pattern. These "eddy winds" generally blow 12-17MPH from a S to SSW direction. Rarely is the flow strong enough to make for ridable wind any further north than San Diego. As the winds are not directly on-shore, the thermal lows are still usually able to build to the beach as the day wears on, dropping the wind velocity, so riding these winds early is the key.
Synoptic pressure systems have stopped moving around and are now somewhat "set" in position for the season.
One system, "The North Pacific High" (NPH), sits and spins in a clockwise fashion (with NW winds) just off the cool Central and/or Northern California coasts. Smaller "thermal lows" sit over the inland valleys and deserts, with lots of heat from the sun.
The interaction of these two systems tends to bring solid wind to the Central and Northern California coasts as pressure tends to flow from high to low.
But this effect does not fully apply to the Southern California coast.
Due to the position of the NPH at this time of year, its solid NW wind is attenuated by the Santa Ynez mountains to Point Conception, as well as Southern California coast "sitting back" away from the flow (a geographic feature known as the Southern California Bight). As the wind is blocked, this creates a lighter wind "void" on the waters inside the bight. With the winds attenuated, the thermal lows can build all the way to the coast as the day wears on, leaving the coast with no solid gradient for wind, and lots of heat.
However, there are times when the NPH is positioned lower or closer, which tends to send WNW winds towards the coast, keeping the thermal lows away from the coast. If strong enough, this can generate ridable wind at all the riding sites. These days have standard WNW winds, which usually blow 8-14MPH, with some rare plus days. Its usually only ridable 3-7 days per month in this season. Geographic focal points north of San Diego County (like Cabrillo, or Leo Carillo) usually boost this wind locally, making for even stronger winds, and more frequently ridable days.
Sometimes the NW flow of wind persists, and/or increases velocity on the outside waters. This begins to generate an eddy effect on the inside waters. This creates a counter-clockwise loop inside the bight, fed on its western edge by NW winds in the outside waters. Most of the coastal sites will show S to SE winds matching the eastern edge of the counter-clockwise flow. In extreme cases, the flow will be strong enough for ridable winds, especially in San Diego (further south, the better), which is in the SE quadrant of the pattern. These "eddy winds" generally blow 12-17MPH from a S to SSW direction. Rarely is the flow strong enough to make for ridable wind any further north than San Diego. As the winds are not directly on-shore, the thermal lows are still usually able to build to the beach as the day wears on, dropping the wind velocity, so riding these winds early is the key.
My definition of successful kiteboarding and minimum ridable wind velocity
Here's a post for some fun. Let me know what you think.
In my opinion, successful kiteboarding involves 3 factors:
1. Ability to maintain a plane on all tacks. Otherwise, one is sinking.
2. Ability to maintain an upwind tack. At least enough to make it back to where one had started.
3. Ability to gain upward lift from the kite, aka "jump". At least enough to perform a single rotation.
To me, a failure in any one of these three means its not a truly successful kiteboarding session (especially for a seasoned rider). As stated, this is just my opinion, and others (like wave riders) may disagree.
So this brings up the next topic: minimum ridable wind velocity.
In my opinion, this is a steady average of 12 knots, or 14 MPH of wind with the currently available equipment. Any less, and any of the above factors begin to suffer and fun begins to drop quickly. Sure, one can ride in even less with certain extreme equipment combinations (ie. larger kite, larger board, longer lines), but as stated, performance begins to suffer, and we start losing the definition of successful kiteboarding.
Personally, the lightest wind I've ever ridden in and made it back upwind to my starting point, was about 5-6 knots. This was with a 26M C kite, and 220 feet of line. Others have ridden in similar conditions with large foils. Either way, its really not going to be very exciting unless one is into the technical aspect of light wind riding.
In my opinion, successful kiteboarding involves 3 factors:
1. Ability to maintain a plane on all tacks. Otherwise, one is sinking.
2. Ability to maintain an upwind tack. At least enough to make it back to where one had started.
3. Ability to gain upward lift from the kite, aka "jump". At least enough to perform a single rotation.
To me, a failure in any one of these three means its not a truly successful kiteboarding session (especially for a seasoned rider). As stated, this is just my opinion, and others (like wave riders) may disagree.
So this brings up the next topic: minimum ridable wind velocity.
In my opinion, this is a steady average of 12 knots, or 14 MPH of wind with the currently available equipment. Any less, and any of the above factors begin to suffer and fun begins to drop quickly. Sure, one can ride in even less with certain extreme equipment combinations (ie. larger kite, larger board, longer lines), but as stated, performance begins to suffer, and we start losing the definition of successful kiteboarding.
Personally, the lightest wind I've ever ridden in and made it back upwind to my starting point, was about 5-6 knots. This was with a 26M C kite, and 220 feet of line. Others have ridden in similar conditions with large foils. Either way, its really not going to be very exciting unless one is into the technical aspect of light wind riding.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
San Diego Wind Seasons, General Overview
Stats are based on historical data and my local riding experience since Oct 1998. These stats are general and will become more accurate as I gather and analyze more data. I've classified 4 separate seasons for San Diego, each of which has their own characteristics.
Feb-Mar-Apr: Best season for frequency and velocity in San Diego. Standard WNW days average 14-18 MPH of wind. Storm South winds average around 20-28 MPH, and Storm NW clearing winds average 18-24 MPH. This period usually averages 10-18 days per month of ridable wind, counting all sites. Santa Ana events happen, but are not counted as direct wind days, though they can (depending upon strength and position) create a great local thermal to boost the standard WNW days, especially with the colder winter water. Best spots: Tourmaline or Silver Strand State Beach, depending upon conditions. Storm winds bring equivalent wind to almost all spots.
May-Jun-Jul: "May Gray" and "June Gloom". Synoptic systems are now "set" in a holding pattern. Most wind for Southern California is severely attenuated by Point Conception and the Santa Ynez Mountain Range, creating a void and usually a resulting eddy, spoiling the winds.
For San Diego: Standard WNW days average around 8-14 MPH of wind, with some plus days, though only averaging 3-7 days per month of ridable wind. Eddy S winds average 12-16 MPH, averaging 2 days per month of ridable wind. Click here for detailed information about this season. Best spots: Silver Strand State Beach, Mission Bay (Stinkies).
Aug-Sep-Oct: Similar to the previous season. For San Diego: Standard WNW days average around 8-14 MPH of wind, with some plus days, though only averaging 5-9 days per month ridable. Eddy S winds average 12-15 MPH, averaging 2 days per month ridable. Best spots: Silver Strand State Beach, Mission Bay (Stinkies).
Nov-Dec-Jan: Worst season for frequency in San Diego. Season of transition. Santa Anas and Pacific Storms with rain and surf. Certain days blow, and blow well, depending upon the positioning of synoptic pressure systems, but they are rare. Beautiful, clear weather between storms. Best spots: Tourmaline or Silver Strand State Beach, depending upon conditions. Storm winds bring equivalent wind to almost all spots.
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